Dack, Evelyn Inez (Mrs. Wayne) 1922-2021

DACK, TRUESDELL, HARDING

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/27/2021 at 15:38:03

Evelyn (Truesdell) Dack, 98, of Roseville, California, passed away Thursday, June 10, 2021 from pneumonia; she had suffered from many years of dementia.

Memorial Services for Evelyn and her husband, Wayne will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021 at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars. Reverend Jan Christensen will officiate. Military honors for Wayne will be provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Evelyn was born shortly before Christmas, on December 21, 1922, in the northwest Iowa town of Hawarden. Hawarden’s population at that time was about the same as now; around 2,500. Evelyn was the sixth child of parents Edward and Mary (Harding) Truesdell. Her older siblings were Rexford, Cleo, Myrle, Ethel, and Lowene. Edward worked in a variety of positions through the years. Noteworthy was a gravel road construction job in South Dakota which resulted in the family living on the road for some time. The family’s earlier roots were also in South Dakota in the town of Alcester, located just across the border/river from Hawarden.

In her mid- to late teens the family moved to LeMars. Evelyn’s older brothers and sisters had left home by this time, but Evelyn and possibly Lowene stayed with their folks. Evelyn was still school age and began attending Le Mars High School. Not long after they were in LeMars Evelyn heard about a boy who had recently lost his mother. She met the boy, Wayne Dack, and that set the course for the next 80+ years. By the time they graduated they were a couple. After graduation Evelyn began working and eventually got a job with the county at the local draft board (Fortunately she didn’t need to draft Wayne as he had already signed up for a pilot training program).

After high school Wayne enrolled in the Accounting School at the University of Iowa. So, there was much travel back and forth between the University and LeMars. One of the things Evelyn and Wayne enjoyed doing was dancing to the many bands of the time.

At some point prior to 1944 the Truesdell family made the move to Southern California. This may have been for the better job opportunities that were available, as the region was heavily involved in supporting the war effort. Whatever the reason, it worked out well for Evelyn since Wayne was receiving training in Santa Ana and they could be together when there was free time.

Wayne received his commission as a lieutenant in the Army Air Force and that meant they could be married; more money and at least a little free time to have a life outside of the military. The date was March 15, 1944. This set Evelyn on the same type odyssey that Wayne had been living. Immediately after the wedding he was assigned to a base in Fresno. Then there was time at the small California town of Taft, and B-24 training in Idaho; and probably other locations as well. Typically there was a mix of accommodations: In some cases government housing for married couples, sometimes only Bachelor quarters and Evelyn would have to find a place on her own. Other times they rented in the community. This lasted only a short time until June when Wayne left for Italy to join the 15th Air Force. Wayne flew 35 combat missions and then came home on a troop ship in January 1945. Once home, two weeks R&R in Florida with Evelyn.

After that, more moving from base to base until the military realized there were more pilots than needed and Wayne was released. In September 1945 they were back in Iowa City to finish school. In May 1946 Steven was born and then the family moved to Minneapolis to begin Wayne’s career. Barbara was born in 1948. There was a short assignment in Milwaukee but then back to Minneapolis.

For Christmas 1956 the family traveled to Southern California and the lure of better weather and family resulted in a decision to relocate. After renting for two years Wayne and Evelyn bought a house in Downey and stayed for forty years until 1996.

Evelyn’s sister, Ethel, lived in Downey and the two were very close; holidays and birthdays almost always involved both families. There were a number of multi-week motor home trips for the two couples.

In the community Evelyn performed charitable work through the First Presbyterian Church, the Downey Women’s Club, and Meals on Wheels. Her participation in Meals on Wheels was instrumental to its founding and she served as its President for a number of years.

Wayne and Evelyn were members of the Mariners couples group at the Downey First Presbyterian Church. Evelyn enjoyed playing bridge, canasta, and other card games. She was a good cook. They took up motor homing in 1970 beginning with a three-month trip to Alaska in a pickup-mounted camper. They continued to own motor homes until about ten years ago.

In 1996 Wayne and Evelyn made the decision to leave Downey in favor of a new Del Webb retirement community near Sacramento. They wanted to be close to Ray and Barbara, and grandkids, Megan and Scott. They attended many swim meets, soccer matches and baseball games. In Roseville they enjoyed a very active life including the motor home club, concerts and plays, and exercise programs including water aerobics. They were founding members of the Pleasant Grove Community Church.

Evelyn’s best accomplishment was her family: A happy marriage of 76 years, two children who were raised to be confident and self-sufficient, and grandkids that anyone could be proud of.

Evelyn died on June 10, 2021 at age 98 from pneumonia; she had suffered for many years with dementia. Wayne is buried in the Le Mars Municipal Cemetery and Evelyn will join him.

Evelyn and Wayne are survived by their son and daughter; Steven Dack and Barbara McMurtry. Grandchildren: Megan Hoffman and Scott McMurtry. And five Great Grandchildren: Max and Nathan Hoffman; and Jack, Charlotte, and Lorelei McMurtry.

Source: Rexwinkel Funeral Home online obituary.